FL H1549

Creates the Statewide Office of Child Representation within the Justice Administrative Commission, headed by an executive director who must be a Florida Bar member in good standing for at least 5 years, with the initial appointment required by January 1, 2023, and regional offices established within each of the five district courts of appeal commencing duties on July 1, 2023.

Requires courts to appoint an attorney for the child for any child placed in out-of-home licensed care on or after July 1, 2023 who is the subject of a dependency proceeding, and defines "attorney for the child" as an attorney providing direct legal representation through the Statewide Office, a contracted nonprofit agency, court-appointed private counsel, pro bono counsel, or retained counsel.

Modifies guardian ad litem appointment requirements so that on or after July 1, 2023, mandatory appointment is limited to specific circumstances (child remaining in home under protective supervision, child subject to both dependency and criminal proceedings, termination of parental rights proceedings, or dependent children with special needs), while discretionary appointment is permitted in other situations.

Renames the Guardian Ad Litem Qualifications Committee as the Child Well-Being Qualifications Committee, requires the Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office to develop conflict-of-interest guidelines for guardians ad litem, and mandates removal of any guardian ad litem experiencing health issues who appears to present a danger to an assigned child.

Caps attorney fees for court-appointed private counsel at $1,000 per child per year, requires financially able parents to reimburse the court for attorney costs, and authorizes the Statewide Office to contract with local nonprofit agencies to provide direct attorney representation funded by general revenue, state funds, or federal sources including Title IV-E.